The media could not be loaded. I wanted a mechanical chronograph, I just didn't want to pay the high cost of one. During my research, I came across the ST1901 movement and decided I wanted to try it. It ticked a few boxes for me. It's hand-winding, which I didn't have in my "collection", it's a chronograph movement with a long, interesting horological history, and it is typically used in watches that I could afford. This particular Tophill watch most closely matched the style that I was looking for and was going for a price that I was willing to pay (more on that later). The following are the initial thoughts from the first 48 hours with the watch from someone who does not own ANY other chronograph watches. For what it's worth: the watch works. It keeps time, though mine seems to run a touch fast. Nothing too crazy though, just a touch (roughly 1 minute a day) but the watch is non-hacking, so that could have something to do with it. The chronograph works well. The start and stop button gives a nice click when you press it, the reset does not click, but it sends the chrono hand back home swiftly and reliably. The fit and finish of the watch seems nice enough for the price. The sapphire crystal is an added bonus as it is my preference when buying watches. I do love the exhibition caseback. The movement on this watch is a thing of beauty and it's nice to be able to see it in action without the rotor you find on automatic watches. The rubber strap that comes on the watch is nice and it's more comfortable than I thought it would be initially. However, I'm a bracelet snob and so I put a SS mesh bracelet on it to give the watch a more "retro" look. The ST1901 movement has a supposed power reserve of 40 hours. I've found that mine gives me around 22 hours. However, this is my first hand winding watch (so I'm inexperienced), and it's Chinese (QC has been historically questionable), and it cost me $200 (no small sum to many people, including myself), so I may not have wound it to its full capacity out of fear of damaging something. So that could be on me. All in all, I like it. It's nice-looking, it's functional, and it's somewhat unique in a world of Swiss and Japanese quartz and automatic movements, to have a Chinese hand-winding chronograph. The only fault I can find so far with this watch, in particular, is the price. ST1901 movement watches can be had on other sites for almost $50-100 less. If I had been a more patient individual, I probably would've gone another way. But, given that I really like the watch thus far, the only thing that will let me know if I got my money's worth is its longevity and that remains to be seen. TL;DR - It's a nice watch and it functions fine. The price may be relatively steep for what it is. Longevity will be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether or not it's worth the cost.
Read more